Landscape Contractor Dies Trimming Trees

A landscape contractor died recently after
his chainsaw hit electrical wires. Ryan Hopkins, 26, from Norfolk,
Massachusetts, was working in an aerial bucket, cutting branches for the
Ahronian Landscape & Design Company in Holliston, Massachusetts, when he
hit power lines. He was instantly engulfed in flames, according to Deputy Fire
Chief James Moore and Police Chief John Moore.

Hopkins was in the burning bucket
when firefighters arrived. Firefighters couldn’t immediately move the bucket
because they feared it was electrified, until another worker used a truck to
push the bucket away, so rescuers could free Hopkins. That truck also caught
fire, but was quickly extinguished.

Hopkins suffered burns over 95 percent
of his body and died shortly after he was airlifted to the hospital. He had just
celebrated his 10-year anniversary with the company.

“We’re all pretty busted up,” said
company owner Mark Ahronian. “He was like a son to me, because I knew him for
so long. This was his second home.”